Picture-holder



(No Model.)

P. A. BECKER.

PICTURE HOLDER.

Patented June 6, 1893.

W6? Jirdzn ion.

, I MAM/r UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

PHILIP A. BECKER, OF PIQUA, OHIO.

PICTURE- HOLDER.

SPECIFIGATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 498,761, dated June 6, 1893.

Application filed May 12, 1892. Serial No. 432,727. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, PHILIP A. BECKER, a citizen of the United States,residing at Piqua, Miami county, Ohio, have invented new and useful Improvements in Picture-Holders, of

which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to picture-holders; its object being, primarily, to produce a simple, eflicient, and cheap device for holding, protecting and exhibiting pictures, such as photographs, cards, and similar articles, which may also be used as a mailing case or envelope, complying with thelaws and rules relating to unsealed matter.

To this end the invention consists in a containing case consisting of a section card or similar material folded centrally upon itself like the opposite covers of a book, each leaf of said case being suitably perforated in partial figures permitting one or more conserved tongues to be bent inward to overlap at opposite sides of and retaina picture or similar object.

It consists further, in the device thus constituted, provided upon one of its outer faces with a suitably designated space for post office stamp and mailing address.

It. consists further, in the provision and combination with the device so constituted, of a stiffening pad of wood or other material suitably covered, adapted to lie between the leaves of the case and secured therein by fastening strings, metal clasps or otherwise, permitting the same to be readily opened when required, and when in place protecting the entire case from breakage or other injuries.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1, is a perspective view of the case partially opened and containing two pictures; Fig. 2, a view of the pad detached; Fig. 3, a perspective view showing the mode of inserting and securing the pad in the holder or case; Fig. 4, a perspective view of the case and pad closed together, addressed and stamped for mailing; and Fig. 5, a detail edge view showing the overlapping tongues secur ing a picture in place.

Referring now to the drawings, the case or holder, A, consists of a sheet of card-board,

celluloid, metal, or any suitable material,

folded upon itself at the central line, a, a, and pierced with suitably disposed cuts of semicircular or other forms to permit tongues, 19, of the material to be pressed inward and overlapped upon a picture or other object, B, such as a photograph. Two such pictures being inserted as indicated in Fig. 1, they are thus held securely face to face as upon opposite leaves or covers of a book.

The form and number of the retaining tongues, as also the quality, color, size, form, and ornamentation of the case are matters of style and. may be varied. The material of the case however, should be stiff enough to allow the tongues, b, b, to be permanently bent and maintain the proper holding angles as indicated in Fig. 5, so that a picture can be easily slipped into or removed from its position from the sides.

The case, A, is pierced by four or more holes, two or more centrally near each outer margin on the sides or ends, and furnished with a tying cord or ribbon, c, or metal fastening. It may be further pierced with two or more holes at opposite sides of the line, a, a, at the top, and similarly furnished with a cord, 01-, by which it is conveniently hung upon a wall or elsewhere as desired. As thus constructed, the case, A, forms a useful protecting casing for pictures, photographs, or cards. Its usefulness is further enhanced however, by providing a pad, 0, of stiff board or wood and preferably covered by soft material, such as cotton-wadding and tissue paper or other material, to form a cushion, to be placed Within the leaves of the casing as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4:, to protect the casing and pictures in mailing. It is also pierced with holes registering with those of the tying cord, 0. One side of the casing being provided with suitable blank spaces for postage stamp and mailing addressas indicated in Fig. 4-the case, with the pad, 0, constitute a protecting shield and envelope when secured together by the cord, 0, which can readily be opened by the postal authorities as required in merchandise or unsealed packages. It will be observed also that the finest photographs or delicate pictures are thus efficiently protected, while the transporting case becomes thereafter an ornamental picture-holder when opened and stood upon a mantel shelf or hung upon a wall. The outsides of the casing-one or bothmay also be utilized for carrying the advertisement of the photographic artist or dealer, or merely ornamental matter. I

It will be obvious that the casing may be formed to contain but one picture; or it may be folded back again upon itself to form a continuous holder to contain a series of pictures.

I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. A casing or holder of card-board or similar material, folded upon itself in one or more folds, and provided with the holding tongues for the reception of card pictures, substantially as set forth.

2. A mailing-case for pictures or photographs consisting of a strip of card-board or similar material, folded upon itself and provided with means for attaching pictures to the inner sides; in combination Witha pad of wood or similar material, inserted between the folds of the casingas astiffeuer; and with suitable fastenings securing the edges of the casing and the stiffening pad together for mailing purposes substantially as set forth.

3. The combination of the folding case, A, perforated near the outer margin; the pad, 0, similarly perforated and contained be tween the folds of the case A; and fastenings, as 0, adapted to pass through all the parts and secure them together, substantially as set forth.

4. A casing of card-board or similar material provided with inner opposite holding tongues to receive pictures, and provided with a blank space upon one of its outer sides for a mailing address, in combination with a stiffening pad inserted between the folds of the casing, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

PHILIP A. BECKER. WVitnesses:

DANIEL P. SMITH, WM. VAN ZANT. 

